F. Weigl Iron Works
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Ironsmith Fortunat Weigl (1884-1973) migrated to Austin in 1913 from Germany with his wife Anna and sons F. Lee and Herbert. Work was scarce until 1917, when Weigl was commissioned by the local woodcarver Peter Mansbendel, who supplied a forge and tools. In 1922 Weigl established his own ornamental iron works, which he moved to this site in 1935. With the help of his sons, he produced original works, entirely hand-wrought, for many significant Austin homes, the State Capitol, and buildings of the Universities of Texas and Texas A&M. His firm remained in operation until 1977. (1981)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Ironsmith Fortunat Weigl emigrated from Germany to Austin in 1913 with his wife Anna and their sons. Work was scarce until 1917, when woodcarver Peter Mansbendel supplied him a forge and tools and set him working. Weigl opened his own ornamental iron works in 1922, moved it to this site in 1935, and with his sons hand-wrought original pieces for grand Austin homes, the State Capitol, and the campuses of UT and Texas A&M until the firm closed in 1977.
Why it matters
An immigrant craftsman's forge left its ironwork on some of Texas's most important public buildings, a reminder of how Old World skills adorned the New World's civic landscape.
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Related people
- · Fortunat Weigl
- · Peter Mansbendel
Themes & tags
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